Ron Howard Will Direct New Documentary On The Beatles

Thought you’d seen everything you could possibly see to sate your Beatles appetite? Well Ron Howard, along with Apple Corps Ltd, White Horse Pictures and Imagine Entertainment are hoping that’s not the case as they announced today they have begun work on a documentary following the band’s touring years around Liverpool and beyond – all leading up to 1966 and Candlestick Park, California.

With full permission from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with John Lennon and George Harrison’s widows Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, the entire Beatles back catalogue is at the filmmakers fingertips – let’s hope they make the most of it. Here’s more detail on exactly what we can expect the documentary to focus on according to the press release:

The Beatles began touring Europe in late 1963, after an extraordinary arrival on the British scene in 1961 and ’62. However, it was their much-heralded Ed Sullivan appearance on February 9, 1964 that caused The Beatles’ popularity to explode. By June, the band had commenced their first world tour, and continued on a relentless schedule for two subsequent years. By the time the band stopped touring in August of 1966, they had performed 166 concerts in 15 countries and 90 cities around the world. The cultural phenomenon their touring helped create, known as “Beatlemania,” was something the world had never seen before and laid the foundation for the globalization of culture

Ron Howard is certainly racking up the projects recently; after plans to direct the Warner Brothers adaption of THE JUNGLE BOOK fell through (Howard was replaced by Jon Favreau), he’s still on board to direct their adaption of THE TRUTH ABOUT THE HARRY QUEBART AFFAIR. Also on his slate is Disney’s adaption of Neil Gaiman’s THE GRAVEYARD BOOOK, a screen version of Dan Brown’s INFERNO and the Chris Hemsworth/Cillian Murphy whale drama HEART OF THE SEA. On working on The Beatles documentary, the director had this to say:

“I am excited and honored to be working with Apple and the White Horse team on this astounding story of these four young men who stormed the world in 1964. Their impact on popular culture and the human experience cannot be exaggerated.”

Well said Mr Howard – The Beatles’ impact on popular culture and the human experience cannot be exaggerated. Please refrain from trying – a documentary full of truth, admiration and music is what we’re all after.

Originally from deep in the London suburbs Vicky is now enjoying the novelty of being able to catch a night bus home from anywhere in the city. Her favourite films are anything John Hughes is involved in, SAY ANYTHING and DEAD POETS SOCIETY. Don't mention the rumour she once served cold tea to Robert Webb and Olivia Coleman. Find her on twitter @chafferty